Wash box



vApril l0, 1945,.

O.- M. TWElT.

WASI-XBOX Filed June '7, 1940 INVENTOR /a f 771/63? 'BY' i ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 1o, 194s 2,373,513 l WASH BoX 1 l Olav M. Tweit,Mountain Lake's'N. JfaSs'gnor t Semet-Solvay Engineeringl Corporation, New'r York, N. Y., a corporation oflNewl-flork Application June 7, 1940,"seria1`Na 339,300

claims. (c1. asrsif This invention relates t0` Washboxes or Water seals of. the type generally utilized in equipment employed in the production of combustible gas, forexample, apparatus for the manufactureyof blue gas ;or carbureted water gas. Carbureted water gas sets'usually involve a generator, carburetor, superheater and Washbox connected in series, the latter unit of the set serving inpart to remove. tarv and other products carried' over by the gas passing therethrough andin part as a seal to prevent return of gas from the main to the su-` perheater or generator. l

, It has been proposed to employ washboxes hav-v ing inclined bottoms along which the tar and similar products separated from the gas ow down to the lowest point of the washbox, where'they may be drained oilinto a seal pot or a separatel seal pipeto be disposed of` in any suitable man# ner. This type of washbox has been found to be reasonably satisfactory and eflicient in operation in the production of carbureted water4 gas in which gas oil or other light oils may be used as the carbureting media, therebyresulting in the ,formation of tars of a relatively free-flowing Vtype which can be readily handled. In recent years, however, the utilization of gasoils and other light oils as carbureting media in carbureted Water gas making processes has been replaced to a very greatextent by the use of crude heavy oil j such as bunker oil or residuu'm, which materials result in the production of viscous tars. Such tars `in the presence of an aqueous medium tend' to solidify and form emulsions and gummy masses diilcult to handle. In water gas sets employing heavy oilsas thek carbureting media it has .been

found that gummy tarry masses settle at the bottom of the inclined bottom washboxes heretofore used, seriously interfering Wtth normal `operation of the washbox, so that frequent interruptions of the operation of the setto permit ,the removal of such masses from the washbox are necessary;

It is'lan object of this invention to provide a washbox of improved design which is particularly adapted for use in water gas sets employing heavy oil as the carbureting medium, and which provides for the continuous removal of tar and susa pended material separated from vthe gas from the washbox, thereby minimizing, if not eliminating,

.the ydeposit and solidification of suchfmaterial within the washbox. While, as above indicated, the washbox of this invention is particularly de signed for use in water gas 'sets employingH heavy oils as the carbureting media, it can used with `ad.

.ventage in gas generating sets employing gas oil as theicarbureting medium .orinother gas generating equipment. Y .i 11:13:35 s; f 1:1"

Aiurther object yof the invention is to provide av Washbqx ofA simple construction, the `parts rof whichfare' readily accessible for cleaning.l L.'

According Yto my inventionl providel'a washbox having a-y conical.` bottom andan internal dis'- chargeconduit extending ,upwardly along the conical bottom so that thewallsnthereofare direct contact throughout its length with Wash liquid in the washbox. The inlet of this conduit is disposed at the `apex of the conical bottom.

Byv this arrangement of conical bottom and discharge conduit, ltar yand other. matter washed Y fromthe gas settle along theconical bottom to y the apex thereof, are promptly carried from the .washbox by the overflowing .Wash liquid into and through the discharge conduit,v and are discharged with the washV liquid. As the rtar and other material passing through the discharge'conduit are maintained at a relatively high temperature, due to the indirect heat exchange between the tar and other materialA passing -through-'the conduit and the hot tar and aqueous material in the Washbox which havev been kheated by. the hot gas es'- caping through the Washbox, solidification of tar and other material on kthe walls of the conduit is water'gas set tobreak up and effect removal of f deposits in the apex portion of the conical bottom `or on thev Walls of the discharge conduit.

-Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description vtaken in connection with the accompanying drawing-in which -Figuregl is Va side elevation partly in section off a Washbox constructed in accordance with this invention, and

Figure 2 is a ydetail sectional vieW taken on the line A-A of Figure 1, ,l Y

Fig. l shows a washboxadapted for use with a carbureted water gas set, and the` present description Will be confined to they present illusv trlated embodimentfof ythe invention. It willbe understood, however,that the novel features and improvements are susceptiblevto other applicaf tionssuch as washboxes for use with blue gas setsn Hence,` the scopemof` this-invention-isfnot connned to the embodimentL herein described.;

The washbox ,comprises areceptacle, indicated generally at I, constituted of a Cylindrical wall 2, a conical bottom 3 and a cover 4. The receptacle is supported by I-beams 5 positioned, as

shown in Fig. 1, beneath the conical bottom 3 adjacent its point of junction with the cylindrical wall. A body of wash liquid 6 is maintained in the receptacle with its surface kept at a predetermined level 1 by overflow .through discharge conduit 8 and overflowleveling device 9 described below. The cover 4 of the washbox is provided with an inlet opening I0, an outlet opening I.-I and a circular skirt or dip lpipe I2 mounted in the inlet opening I and having its lower edge vI3 immersed in the body of wash liquid 6. vGas from the superheater of a carbureted water gas set (not shown) passes through pipe I 4, .wherein it is sprayed by the spray I5, to dip pipe I2, under the edge I3 of the dip pipe, where itis washed by contact with the wash liquid, and leaves the washbox through outlet II and discharge pipe I6. A circular baille I1 fxe'd, for example, vby welding, to cover 4 concentric with dip pipe I2.has its lower edge `I8 immersedin the wash liquid and Vis provided above the liquidlevel with an opening I9 through whichthe washedy gas from dip pipe I2 passes. Thefspray .20, alsomounted on the cover 4 and so ,placed as to contact the gas about to pass .through .opening I9, subjects the gas lto an additional washing.

Discharge conduita8 is formed on the Aconical bottom 3 'by fixing thereto, for example, by welding, a :sheet of metal .2| of .U-shapedscross-section, as shown in Figp2. The open lower end 22 of the .conduit :8 is `adjacent the apex 230i the conical bottom 3, andthe conduit extends upwardly along the conical bottom -iin contact .With 4the liquid 1in the washbox throughout .its length andhas its upper end sealed to the cylindrical -wall2 withits edgesvcoinciding with 4the edges `ofthe `opening 24 in therwall 2. vThe tar and other matter Washed y,from the gas-settle along the :conical :bottom .3, become `concentrated near :the apex.23 ..and,.together with :overflow wash liquid, .enter theopenend` 2210i the conduit, 'ilow upwardly .therethrough `ancl1discharge through opening 124 into Ioverfiowfleveling device lil .ailixed to the outside rof'wall 2. 1 The liquid in the washbox becomes heated inl-washing the hot .gases pand maintains -the conduit' 8 with which it is in contact iat-such .a temperature that solidication of the tar on the walls .of ithe conduit is retarded .or prevented.

The .apex 23' of the `conical bottom is fitted with a section `oi pipe .25 and la valve 26 .to permit draining .of lthe receptacle :when desired.

The overflow device, indicated generallyat-, through which the matter `from conduit 8 is `discharged and which vgoverns thenlevel "I of.liquid inthe washbox, is -fixed to .the .outsideof cylindrical wall 2 and comprises a. ichamberiZI constituting a continuation of conduit `8 outside the receptacle, and archamber j28 surrounding the chamber 2l and communicating with receptacle I through opening '29 in ythe wall 2 of the receptacle above the level 'I ofi-liquid therein. The chamber 2I comprisesan `outer wall- 30, a.bot tom wall 3I a-nd a top wall 32. A screw-threaded opening 33 inthe top wall 32 is flttedwith -a short, rthreaded section of pipe 34 adjustable to be raised and lowered by' turning the -same so that the height of itsupper edge 35 may be variedl at will. When the level 1 of the surface of liquid in the receptacle I is above ythe-height of the edgev 35, "liquid will be lforced through conduit-8 into chamber y2.1anddischarged over i 38 of chamber 28 to permit adjustment of the pipe 34 and inspection and cleaning of chamber 28 The liquid .overflowing the edge 35 of pipe 34 of the overilow device 9 falls to the bottom of the chamber 28 and is discharged through pipe 39 into a seal pot 4D. The tar carried with the liquid discharged through pipe 39 settles to the bottom of the seal pot 49 and may be withdrawn therefrom as desired. The lower end 4I of pipe 39 is immersed in the'liquid in seal pot Ml 'to a depth such that the column of liquid from the lower end 4I -of ,pipe I39 to the .surface of the liquid in the -seal pot lwill `balance Aany gas pressure which might be yreached'in receptacle I or chamber 28 and .prevent escape of .gas from re ceptacle I .throughchamber 218 and `pipe 3.9, while permitting discharge of liquid from the chamber l23. A discharge .pipe 42 is provided within .the seal pot 40 with its open upper end 43 at the level at whichfitfis desired to maintain :the surface of the liquid in the seal pot. A valve-controlled discharge 44 is .provided :topermit .draining of the seal pot vwhen desired.

A pipe `45 communicating with :conduit .8 through the chamber 2l `isiced to the WallJSI) of the chamber and extends in alignment with conduit. 8 upwardly through the side wall 4S `of chamber 28, terminating at a point above .the upper edge 35.01" the overflow pipe 34. and, therefore, above the level 'l of liquid linthe receptacle. A removable 4closure device 41 .isprovided at the upper end -of the pipe. When the closure 4l. is removedI a cleaning tool Ymay be inserted through the open end of the pipe 45 to clean ,the conduit Band the apex 23 of the yconical bottom 3. Since the vupper end of the pipe 45 is above the liquid level in the receptacle and the lower end is below .the liquid level, neither gas nor liquid can escape `during cleaning, and it isnot necessary to empty -the receptacle .before cleaning.

` The washbox .forming the subject of the present .invention provides a -dependable ,water seal .andmeans for washing gas in Which'tar washed .fromthe gas doesnotaccumulate and solidify. As a result of this feature of .the washbox the hitherto necessary .shutting .down of the gas set and the diculties involved in removing solidified tar from the washbox are avoided.` The Washbox is simple indesign and'its interior is accessiblethrough an opening 'in alignment with the discharge conduit above 'the 'liquidi level thereinl to permit removal .of deposits inthe apex part ofthe Aconical bottom or on the walls of the dischargeV conduit' without interfering with the normal voperation of the gas set;

Since different embodiments ofthe invention may be made without departing-from `the scope of this invention, it is intended that all matter contained Ain `the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative 4and not-in alimiting sense. `f

15A washboxffor gas generators comprising -a receptacle having a'gas inlet, a Ygas outlet anda zconicallgbottom, sealing means-in the receptacle topreventtpassageiof gas from the gasjoutlet to ing in said receptacle, means for maintaining the ylevel of 'liquid in said` receptacle ,comprising ,ay pressure-equalizing cliamber. communicating with said receptacle above the level Ofliquid therein yand, a discharge conduit with its inlet ad- {jacent the ,apex .of the conical bottom .of the receptacle to receive. said washk liquid and tarry `matter and .with its` outlet opening in said pressure-equalizing chamber at a levelcorresponding to theliquid level in they receptacle, ,and a pipe communicating with theconduit below the level of liquid therein and having its upper end above the level of the liquid, the pipe and conduit beingconstructed and arranged so thata tool may be introduced throughthe pipe to clean the conduit andthe apexoi the conical bottom of the receptacle. f

l2. rAwashbox for gas generators comprising a receptacle having a gas inlet, a'gas outlet and a conicalbottom, a body of wash liquid within the receptacle, a gas-liquid contacting device communicating with the gas inlet and comprising a dip pipe having its lowerend immersed in the wash liquid, a spray of wash liquid to w-ash gas owing through the washbox and remove tar and suspended material from said gas, the wash liquid and tar thus removed collecting in said receptacle, means toy maintain the level of liquid in the receptacle comprising a pressure-equalizing .chamber communicating with the receptacle above the level of liquid therein land an upwardly extending overflow and discharge conduit with its inlet adjacent the apex of the conical bottom of the receptacle to receive overow wash liquid containing tarry matter, and with its outlet opening in said pressure-equalizing chamber at a level corresponding to the liquid level in the receptacle, land a pipe communicating with the conduit below the level of liquid therein and having its upper end above the level ofthe liquid, the pipe extending in alignment with the conduit through the pressure-equalizing chamber to the atmosphere and being constructed and arranged so that means may be introduced through it to clean the conduit and the apex of the conical bottom of the receptacle.`

3. A washbox for gas generators comprising a receptaclehaving a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a 'conical bottom, a body of wash liquid within the receptacle, a spray o wash liquid to wash gas ilowing through the washbox and remove tar and suspended material from said gas, the wash liquid and tar thus removed collecting in said receptacle, means to maintain the level of liquid in the receptacle comprising a pressure equalizingA chamber communicating with the receptacle above the level of liquidtherein, and an overflow and discharge conduit with its inlet adjacent the apex ofthe conical bottom of the receptacle to receive overflow wash liquid containing tar and Vwith its outlet opening in said pressure-equalizing chamber at a level corresponding to the liquid Y level in the receptacle, the conduit being disposed in contact with the body of wash liquid throughout substantially its entire length, and a pipe communicating with the conduit below the level of liquid therein and having its upper end above the level of liquid, the pipe and conduit being constructed and arranged so that means may be` move tar and suspended matter from the gas,

means Ato maintain the level of liquid in the receptacle comprising a pressure-equalizingA chamber communicating withf the receptacle abovev the level of liquid therein and an upwardly extending overilowy and dischargeconduit formed on the conical bottom of the receptacle with its inlet adjacent the apex of the conical bottom of the receptacle to receive overflow wash liquid containingtar'removed .from the gas, and with its outlet opening in said vpressure-equalizing chamber at .the level oftheliquidinthe receptacle, and yapipe communicating with the conduit at a point below theliquid level therein and extending above' the liquid level, the pipe being constructed and arranged lto give access to the con duit and apex vofthe conical bottom. v

5.A washbox Ycomprising areceptacle having an inlet and an outlet `for gas' passing through the washbox, a bottom sloping downwardly from the periphery of the receptacle on which bottom is maintained -a body Vof wash liquid through which tarry lmatter cansettle andv collect 'at a localized point on the said bottom, sealing means inthe .receptacle to prevent,` passage of gas from the gas outlet to the gas inlet, an internal liquid overiiow anddischarge conduit vdisposed with its inlet adjacent said localized point, and a single liquid seal for the washbox, said seal communicating with the outlet of said liquid overflow discharge conduit.

` 6. A washbox for gas generators comprising a receptacle having an inlet and an outlet for gas passing through the Washbox, means for introducing liquid into said receptacle to form a body of wash liquid therein, means for passing gas through the wash liquid to remove tarry matter from the gas, said receptacle having a bottom constructed and arranged to cause tarry matter settling on the bottom to collect at a localized point, an internal overflow and discharge conduit in heat-exchange relation with the body of wash liquid and with its inlet disposed adjacent said localized point, sealing means in the receptacle to prevent passage of gas from the gas outlet to the gas inlet, a single liquid seal communicating with the outlet of said internal overilow and discharge conduit, said bottom, internal liquid overilow and discharge conduit and seal being constructed and arranged so that throughout the flow of gas through the washbox tarry matter settles at the said localized point and ilows through the internal overflow and discharge conduit into said seal. 7. A washbox for gas generators comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a body of wash liquidy means for spraying liquid into said receptacle, means for passing gas through said spray to wash tarry matter from the gas, said receptacle having a bottom sloping downwardly from its periphery toward its centerso that tarry matter removed from the gas settles through said body of wash liquid to the bottom and collects at a localized point, sealing means in the receptacle to prevent passage of gas from the gas outlet to the gas inlet, aninternal overflow and discharge conl duit in heat-exchange relation with the body of `iwash lliquid,` and with `its linlet disposed-.adjacent to said point, said conduit servingLto fcarry away said wash liquid and tarry matter, and a vliquid :seal-withffwhi-oh vthe outlet of said overflow and discharge- .conduit communicates.

118.A washbox for-gas generators lcomprising a receptacle having a Lgasfinlet, agas outletV and a conicalbottom, .a .body of wash liquid Within .the lreceptacle through which the gas passes 'thereby .removing tar fand suspended-matter from thesgas, -meansrfor continuously supplying fresh wash liqluid itofthe yreceptacle, ysealing means in the receptacle .to prevent ypassagey of i gas" .from .the gas outlet to the `gas inlet, and upwardly-extending -liquid overow anddischargeeonduitfhaving its #inlet `adjacent A,to 'stheapex of :the bottom/of :the `lreceptacle to receive Aand vconduct-,avvaytWash liquid .containing tanrvmatter, liquid-seal :com-

municating with the outlet of saidconduit, .and lmeans 'for maintaining gas pressure. rat'gthe-.said outlet kof .the discharge .conduitfsubstantiallyequal to wthatwithin the e :receptacle .so that .substan- `tia'lly Acontinuousdischarge of ltar .and :suspended -matteriremoved from Vthegasland settlingto said yapex v.takes place through fsaidsconduit, thitoughout the passage :of :gas ithrough'fsaid washbox.

9.1A washbox for gas generatorsicomprising a .receptaolet-having la gas inlet, a-igas-Loutlet, and a conical bottom andi-adapted 4to J'contain :la n body 'ofcwash1 liquid throughwhich the gas ..passes and nwhichefiects removal vof tar and .suspended matter Vfrom athe Qgas, means for supplying ffreshwash :liquid to `the receptacle, sealing .means .lin-the -receptaclefto,prevent passage of Agas :from the gas outlet -to the gas finlet, means to vmaintain lthe Llevelofsliquid in the receptacle comprising apres- .sure-equalizing chamber communicating with the receptacle above thelevel of liquid thereinand an `upwardly-extending liquid overow and discharge wconduit having its inlet .adjacent -to the 4apex of vthe conical bottom vof :the receptacle to receive wash liquid .containing tarry matter and fhaving `its outlet lopening into said pressure-equalizing chamber so that substantially continuous dis- Acharge of tar and suspended matter settlingl through the body of wash liquid to the apex of ysaid conical bottom takes place through said upwardly extending liquid overow and discharge conduit throughout `the flow of gas through the washbox, and a sealpot communicating With said pressure-equalizing chamber 'for flowof tar and suspendedmatter .thereinto from the pressureequalizing chamber,

flO. A washbox for gas generators comprising in combination, a receptacle having an inlet and outlet for gas passing therethrough, said receptacle having a, conical bottom with the apex of :the-cone forming the base `portion of said lreceptacle, said conical bottom adapted to contain a :body of washliquid, and an internal discharge 'conduit having its inlet disposed adjacentto `the apex `of said conical 4bottom and extending Yup-` Wardly along Said conical `bottom in contact with vthe liquid thereon and arranged to discharge .washliquid and tarry matter which collects at the apex of said conical bottom.

OLAV M.` TWEIT. 

